Image source, Rex FeaturesImage caption, John Dobson led Stormers to the 2022 United Rugby Championship title
ByChris KirwanBBC Sport Wales- Published8 minutes ago
Corniel van Zyl has welcomed the claim by Stormers counterpart John Dobson that Cardiff are the "easiest" of United Rugby Championship (URC) quarter-final opponents.
The Blue and Blacks will make their first play-off appearance in Cape Town on Saturday (14:30 BST) after finishing sixth in the table.
Cardiff now aim to upset the odds against a Stormers side who they beat 22-16 at the Arms Park a fortnight ago.
That meant the South Africans dropped to third in the table – below top seeds Glasgow and Leinster – but Dobson is pleased to have a swift reunion with Van Zyl's side.
"It's probably the easiest of the quarter-finals," the Stormers director of rugby told CapeTalk., external
Stormers v Cardiff
URC play-off quarter-final
Saturday, 30 May at 14:30 BST
Listen on SoundsWatch live coverage on S4C, listen on Radio Wales and online with live text on BBC Sport app & website
Dobson admitted Stormers got what they deserved at the Arms Park but is glad to have avoided 2023 champions Munster, a Connacht side who won in Cape Town in April and South African rivals Lions.
"If we won in Cardiff, we would have played the Lions and I think we'd be a lot more angst-ridden than we are about Cardiff," he said.
"It sounds arrogant and presumptuous, but I think if I was to choose a quarter-finalist, it's the first time they have been in a quarter-final so I would probably choose them."
Wales wing Josh Adams said that Cardiff will take Dobson's assessment with "a pinch of salt" while boss Van Zyl stressed that the home side will be feeling the heat.
"It makes it even better," said Van Zyl when asked about the Stormers boss' comments.
"It's a nice little challenge and it will come down to the 80 minutes and hopefully the boys can perform well.
"With Stormers' last few results after starting the season so well, the pressure was on us last time at Cardiff Arms Park, but that has moved a little bit now."
The Blue and Blacks have won outside Wales just once this season - at URC bottom club Zebre in November - but Van Zyl believes they can upset the odds.
"I know people will be writing us off,but we will have a good crack at it and see what happens," he said.
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Image source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyImage caption, Alex Mann has played all nine Tests under Wales head coach Steve Tandy
Cardiff have been boosted by the availability of Wales internationals Adams, Alex Mann and Mason Grady plus influential lock Josh McNally, but remain without fly-half Callum Sheedy.
"It's massive to have them back and ready for selection because they are experienced and have been a big part in what we have done this season," said Van Zyl.
Adams sat out the Stormers fixture in Cardiff after a head injury suffered when playing at outside centre against Glasgow in his first club game since an impressive Six Nations on the wing with Wales.
Wing Grady and flanker Mann both missed the last three games of the season while McNally missed the regular season finale because of his Royal Air Force playing commitments.
That left George Nott and Rory Thornton as the only available specialist locks with back-row forward Alun Lawrence their cover.
The absence of Sheedy, who has started 18 of 23 fixtures this season, means that Ioan Lloyd is set to continue pulling the strings.
